Vertical Caving Gear

[Aldaron]

About the only piece of canyoneering gear that I can also use in vertical caving is my helmet...so here's to all new gear for a new, expensive hobby.

 

[Outdoors24]

Thats really cool. Where did you learn to go caving? I've done a few non technical caves but nothing to serious.

 

[Aldaron]

Since northern Alabama is so full of vertical caves, the local cave rescue team has a class about 3 times a year. I took that class a few months ago. And then the local caving club also has vertical practice every couple of weeks where they rig ropes inside of a gym just so people can practice.

There are 500 foot deep pits within 45 minutes of my house, so I'm looking forward to getting into those.

 

[Outdoors24]

The few times that I have gone caving it has been fun. I am hoping to get more into it one day soon.

 

[Bob]

You have a few things missing......

Gibbs ascenders, bluewater rope

Many, many years ago I was into that.....

 

[Aldaron]

What is the Gibbs ascender used for?

I'm planning to mooch off other people's rope until I get more experience

 

[Bob]

Ha-ha.....I think they are still made, maybe not. Strap to one foot and the opposite knee. Let you ascend the rope by leg power, like walking up stairs Fastest way to climb up a rope

 

[Aldaron]

It sounds similar to the rope walker or Mitchell system. I'm using the Frog system, which uses the croll ascender on the waist. The rope walkers are generally faster and more efficient, but they're more expensive, considerably bulkier, and much more complex.

 

[Bob]

No really simple. Many years ago I bought them from the inventor...... here is a link for what they look like: http://www.gibbsproducts.com/
http://www.cmcrescue.com/equipment/gibbs-ascenders/

They were the fastest way to get up a rope.... I used mine with Jumars, you could fly up the rope....